On the 17th November 1603, in the Great Hall at Winchester Castle, Sir Walter Raleigh stood in his own defence at his trial
for treason. He had been accused of plotting against James I.
for treason. He had been accused of plotting against James I.
A man of many talents Raleigh may have been, but a lawyer was not one of them. He was unsuccessful in his case despite his calls to have Henry Brooke, Lord Cobham, the alleged leader of the plot, brought into the proceedings. Raleigh stated:
"it is strange to see how you press me still with my Lord Cobham, and yet will not produce him......he is in the house
hard by, and may soon be brought hither; let him be produced, and if he will yet accuse me or avow this confession of his,
it shall convict me and ease you of further proof."
"it is strange to see how you press me still with my Lord Cobham, and yet will not produce him......he is in the house
hard by, and may soon be brought hither; let him be produced, and if he will yet accuse me or avow this confession of his,
it shall convict me and ease you of further proof."
Raleigh was found guilty and was sentenced to death which was later reduced to life imprisonment. Raleigh spent the next
12 years in the Tower of London. It was here, in 1614, that he wrote the first volume of his History of the World, he only completed the first volume. He was later released and lead a second failed expedition to El Dorado after which he defied
the king's instructions by attacking the Spanish.
12 years in the Tower of London. It was here, in 1614, that he wrote the first volume of his History of the World, he only completed the first volume. He was later released and lead a second failed expedition to El Dorado after which he defied
the king's instructions by attacking the Spanish.
His death sentence was reinstated, he was executed on the 29th October 1618. Brooke was released from the Tower
at the same time, but died a broken man the following year.
at the same time, but died a broken man the following year.
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